Flagger Force – 2026 National Work Zone Awareness Week External Communications
INDUSTRY:
Traffic Control
SERVICES:
– Content Strategy & Messaging
– Copywriting
– Public Relations
– Social Media Strategy
– Graphic Design
“GRIT delivered exactly what we needed for National Work Zone Awareness Week. Their PR expertise opened doors with key media outlets and meaningfully increased Flagger Force’s brand visibility across our expanding footprint."
– Alyssa Martelli
Communications Manager, Flagger Force
Elevating Work Zone Safety Through Human-Centered Storytelling
Each year in mid-April, Flagger Force leverages National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) as an opportunity to reinforce an important message: roadway workers are real people deserving of attention, care, and protection.
In 2026, Flagger Force partnered with GRIT to support a comprehensive external communications campaign centered around their People Aren’t ConesSM initiative, a human-first approach to work zone safety awareness designed to encourage safer driving behaviors and highlight the realities faced by crews working near live traffic every day.
The campaign’s goal was not only to generate visibility during NWZAW, but to help deepen understanding of the people, risks, and operational realities behind short-term traffic control work.
Coordinating a Multi-Market Awareness Campaign
GRIT supported Flagger Force’s NWZAW campaign through a coordinated mix of public relations strategy, media outreach, event support, and content development tailored to both regional and national audiences.
Earned media outreach efforts extended across key service markets, including PA, MD, VA, FL, OH, KY, NC, and additional states throughout Flagger Force’s operational footprint.
Outreach also included trade publications and key industry association contacts to help expand the campaign’s visibility among transportation and infrastructure audiences.
Bringing Attention to Work Zone Safety in Tampa
To launch the week’s activities, Flagger Force hosted a media safety event in Tampa, Florida, that served as a key touchpoint for the broader campaign. GRIT assisted with event logistics, media outreach, talking points, interview coordination, media preparation for participating team members, and on-site communications support. The event drew coverage from multiple television stations across the Tampa market, including 10 Tampa Bay, FOX13 Tampa, and Tampa Bay News 9, while also creating additional opportunities to reinforce campaign messaging through interviews and event coverage.
Additional earned media and industry outreach efforts included:
Supporting Safety Messaging Across Digital Touchpoints
On the digital side, GRIT developed a strategic social media content calendar tied to NWZAW and the People Aren’t ConesSM campaign, including graphics, leadership LinkedIn content, supporting messaging across platforms, and our team also helped design and write a client e-newsletter featuring campaign videos, industry interviews, and educational resources.
Following NWZAW, GRIT also supported the development of a recap blog highlighting Flagger Force’s campaign efforts, earned media placements, and ongoing commitment to work zone safety awareness.
Expanding the Reach of an Important Safety Message
The integrated campaign helped Flagger Force significantly expand visibility around National Work Zone Awareness Week and People Aren’t ConesSM. During April 2026 alone, Flagger Force tracked:
43 earned media mentions and more than 8.8 million earned media impressions tied to campaign-related outreach efforts.
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